It can be really difficult to choose a song to work on if you’ve never done it before, particularly if you want to find a good “learning song”. Here are some suggestions to help you get started with this process

Choose a great composer, someone who is well respected and has many great compositions.

1. For classical selections, some examples that I recommend:

Mozart (primarily Italian, some German)

Anything from the 24 Italian Songs and Arias (published by G. Schirmer and available almost anywhere. It’s only available in Med. High or Med. Low—sopranos and tenors should get the Med. High and mezzos (altos) and baritones should get the Med. Low. It goes without saying that altos and basses would get the Med. Low.

I still can’t believe how much fun the computer program Music Ace is for someone like me, who has been reading music since I was very young. Want to get started on the basics (and more) for learning how to read music? Want to do a little composing? Want to have fun the whole time? Get Music Ace. There are several different versions check them all out to see what’s best for you. Let me know what you think! (Note–this will not be challenging enough for people who already know how to read music. But you may find, as I do, that you enjoy using the program with someone else who’s learning to read music!)

If you get it in your head that practicing is the way to reach your goals as a singer and you as a result, add an hour of practice time to your current routine—you may indeed get a lot out of that extra practice time if it is well spent. But is that the most effective way to your goal? Is more time practicing always the answer?Continue Reading

Seems nasty—isn’t. I use the Salt Aire system and mix my own solution (the one that comes with the system burns my nose and is expensive to have to buy over and over again). You can also use a Neti pot or any of the other systems. This is one of THE best ways to keep your nasal passages clear and moist (less of a chance that you’ll catch a cold if they stay moist).